reflections and connections

Like any good Canadian, I've grown up playing, watching, coaching, officiating and basically just loving hockey! I was never very good at the game, but managed to find a few recreational teams that would put up with my plodding ways and stray passes. It has been quite a few years since I laced up the skates, and while I do miss it, I realize at this point in my life my hockey days are long behind me. This week was the start of the NHL regular season, and much to my wife's dismay, I found myself glued to the TV watching teams start the season full of hope in their quest to be better than last year. Regardless of where teams finished at the end of last season they all took stock of where they performed well and in what areas they needed improvement. All the teams, even the champions, have a few different players wearing their colours this year and these additions will have to quickly learn the system under which the team plays.While watching the games I was struck by the similarities between the start of a school year and the start of a hockey season, even if our "training camp" is only a few days at the end of August. Just like hockey teams, good schools look at their statistics, their data, from the previous year. When schools see great results they should ask, "how can we build on what we accomplished last year?" Similarly, when schools identify areas where they were lacking they must ask, "how do we begin to address this?" NHL teams are beginning to venture into the world of analytics, using advances statistics to identify where their needs are. Schools have been doing this for a long time, collecting data on reading, writing, mathematics, student engagement, etc. By doing this schools can set goals and teachers and students can work together to build on the great things and address the areas of need. The end of August and the beginning of September bring a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism for the year ahead. Plans are in place and teachers are ready to start the onerous, yet rewarding task of helping the students get to a place where they themselves were doubtful they could get to.But then October fades from the calendar and the short days of winter appear on the horizon. Students and teachers have settled into routines and there is a definite lull in the momentum that was present to start the year. How do we keep this momentum going? How do we as leaders avoid falling into a rut and as a result, failing our teachers when they need us to keep them keep the enthusiasm at the fore?Some simple, yet effective things I do as a learning leader are:

include celebration time in staff meetings: our meetings are scheduled to run one hour, and regardless of where we are in the conversation I always make sure the last 10 minutes are dedicated to a round table discussion where teachers are asked to share one celebration from the time that had passed since the last meeting.

ensure I am aware of teacher goals and check in with them: one of the teachers on our staff set a goal to make more "happy" phone calls to parents this year as opposed to contacting parents when their has been an issue. It is a little thing, but a quick, "who are you calling this week?" on a Friday morning keeps his goal fresh and reminds him that I care too.

talk to kids: it may sound strange that this is a tip, but it's more than simply talking to the kids. I am interested in their lives outside of school, but I think it is critical to ask them about how they feel things are going with their classes and in the school as a whole. One great thing about kids is they love to tell you if they think something can be improved at the school!

talk to support staff: so often the caretaker and the admin assistant know the "real pulse" of the school. They see and hear things I may miss, so it is important to have a good, honest relationship with them and it is important to take the time to sit with them over a coffee or at lunch to find out how they are doing.

be aware of myself: I listed this last, but feel it is the most important tip, at least for me. I need to take the time every day to reflect on how my day went and where I want tomorrow to go. I am lucky to have a 20 minute commute and this serves as the perfect time to do this thinking. If I can maintain my enthusiasm (and there are times when it is very difficult) then I am better able to work with the teachers.

These are just a few of the things I do as a learning leader in my building. There are many other ways to keep the momentum up in a school, and as always, I'd love to hear any and all suggestions and ideas.